Birth of the Warlock

8 years had passed since the destruction of Zurik Citadel. Anyone that knew about the incident knew it only as a magic experiment gone horribly wrong. Despite many whispers and rumours in the capital of what truly happened in the Tower, and how the Naz’gadh and all 50 of the Red Court members lost their lives, the talk surely died down as years passed. Now, it has been reduced to conspiracy theories littered throughout the countries. Records were scrubbed, witnesses bribed or otherwise… dealt with. But the new generations of Warlocks continued to arise and make their way. Daergōm had reached its 8th Age and the dominion of Warlocks still remained strong despite this incident. Banks ran their business, physicians continued their practice, and schools carried on preparing the newer generations for life beyond their walled cities. In the 5th month of 1782, the bell rang once more, signalling the end of classes for the children of Xora Academy in Oxilian.

“Levai! Are you coming to the food hall? There’s still after school dinners waiting and we’re all getting together for the end of the year!” a female shouted as she ran out the front steps of the giant school. In front of her was a boy with jet black hair, neatly folded backwards over his head to keep plenty of space for him to see. He turned around and his bright red eyes met hers, with a blank expression on his face, and the makings of an unamused frown on the corners of his lips.

“Why on earth would I ever join that? Everyone chats away about how they will spend their holiday time only to get back to the same boring routine they always submit to. Prattling on about what may or may not be beyond the walls. You would be better off just going home as I am, Ania.”

Ania gave him a silly smile in response and rushed over to him to grab his hand. Levai clenched his jaw for a moment and went rigid when she touched him. Anyone else would have gotten a swift kick in the gut for doing that, but Ania’s hands were always so gentle on him. Feeling his face warm up, he scoffed and looked to the side.

“Come on. You always say these same things, then I drag you out, and surprisingly enough, you actually have a good time!” Levai looked back at her slightly, seeing her happy face inching closer to his in order to persuade him. He felt his cheeks flush and his bewildered face helped to mask the warmth spreading over his face.

“Alright! Fine! I’ll stay for a meal, but then I’m going home!” Ania giggled and wasted no time pulling him back to the school. Levai had known Ania for many years, growing up with her in the city. It would have been foolish for him to deny that he’d always wanted to be close to her, and the thought of never seeing her again after finishing their school years was… unpleasant to him. The two made their way back into the school and sat down in a large hall, lined with tables and chairs with food placed down ready to grab and plate up.

“So, are you ready to go over the wall tomorrow?” Ania asked. Levai stopped dead in the middle of grabbing a leg of meat for his plate and clenched his fists a little at the thought.

“I don’t know. It is about time though. Being caged in this city for years…”

“Pazhk ze vöx ghowz, never forget that.” Levai rolled his eyes at her words and continued eating slowly. Patience may have been the ally of everyone else around here, but it certainly was not his. Since he was a child he’d wondered what secrets may lie beyond the wall, yet he never received any answers apart from vague teachings in school and half-answers from his teachers. Naturally, his mother never allowed him to know anything and as for his father… well, that was another story. While they ate, Ania pulled out a dark blue book from her bag and laid it down in front of Levai, opening the book to a specific page.

“What is that?”, he asked, only giving it a glance.

“I may have snuck into the High Scholar’s office and stolen it.” Levai looked at her with wide eyes, still unable to believe that even now she could never shake her mischievous ways. Sighing and taking an interest, he looked into the book with her. It was a book about the history of Oxilian, many things that Levai already knew, but this chapter spoke about something called The Path.

“Beyond the walls of Oxilian lies Oxilian’s Path. The road traversed by all young Warlocks that are of age and recognition to make their way to an Institute to study magic…” Levai read from the book and had so many questions.

“Warlock? What’s that?” Ania’s excitement grew as he asked.

“We are! It’s fascinating. When a Fél that has been given the blood of a D�"mon gives birth, they and each of their firstborns in their line will become a Warlock. We can actually use magic!” This was one huge revelation for Levai, and had his mind overflowing with questions and comments. Magic was something that surrounded them everyday, but never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he would be able to control and use it someday. Completely ignoring his food, he pressed for more details from Ania, who could only give him so much to know. Apparently the wall was in place to ensure none of the children of Warlocks could get out and cause any danger, as well as face the dangers of the outside world. Levai could barely focus on his food, his mind racing with new thoughts. This meant that his father, grandfather, all of them before him were Warlocks, and he was too.

“That explains this”, Ania opened her mouth and made biting noises as she showed her fanged teeth. Levai couldn’t help giving out a chuckle as she explained that the teeth were the signs that a Fél child was a Warlock. Levai opened his mouth slightly, remembering how much longer his sharper teeth had gotten in the past year, which could only mean he must have become a Warlock as well.

“What’s the outside world then?” Levai finally asked, and Ania only grew more excited. Huddling extremely close to him, she pulled out a sheet of paper and laid it out on the table. It was a map, an enormous map of a continent called Griermar. Levai looked in wonder at the giant landscape, everything that was beyond the wall was here, and this was apparently only one continent of five. Ania allowed Levai a moment to take it all in before pointing at one country, Xoulov. There, in the north, he saw his own city, Oxilian. All of this was such a shock and Ania couldn’t be more happy to know it. Levai, however, did not.

“So it’s a lie then? We’ve all been routinely lied to our entire lives?!”

“Shhh! Keep it down! We don’t want the scholars to hear us! I’ll get in trouble, you know.” Levai looked at Ania and, for a moment, allowed a shred of tenderness to break through the hardened exterior.

“You know I would never allow that to happen.” Ania went silent for a moment and blushed heavily, looking away at the map and studying it a bit more while she stuttered.

“Anyway… I suppose I can understand it a bit. Apparently Warlocks are very dangerous, so we don’t get told about anything outside the wall until we’re old enough. It’s kind of a coming of age ritual.”

“So… what happens on this Path then? We just walk? The map doesn’t seem to have any destination on it.” Ania looked closer and noticed what he meant. On the map, Oxilian’s Path could be clearly seen, showing a small trail from the North Gate, but there was no town, city, or school named at the end of its road, just nothingness. It was very odd and a little concerning, but Ania shrugged her shoulders and continued her meal.

“Think about it though, us becoming Warlocks and studying at a bigger school where we actually use magic! It feels a little like a promotion to me!” That’s as well as may be, but for Levai, this opened up an opportunity for a lengthy conversation with his mother when he got home. Night was on its way and it was time to get back. Saying his farewells to Ania, Levai walked down from the school and began his journey home, walking past the outskirts of Spire Town. It was always a bit of a nightmare having to go through there, full of the very worst people of Oxilian. Sitting on the edge of one of the carts was Härion Kreizh, one of the members of the city watch.

“Having a nice evening there, Little Levai?”

“You know I hate it when you call me that…” Härion laughed as he stood up to walk with him for a little stretch.

“Yes, I know all too well. If I know correctly, I think today was your last day at the school, hm? Time to go past the wall, yes?” he asked. Levai nodded in response and Härion chuckled again.

“I remember when I took the Path as well.”

“Did you get to the end of it?” Levai asked. Härion went silent and sighed as he lowered his head to look at the ground.

“No. Some of us don’t make it very far. Choose to return to the city instead. But, I have no doubts you will!” He did his best to keep a cheerful face, but Levai could see right through it. There wasn’t much that could shake Härion and make him seem so solemn, but if the mention of this Path could silence him, then Levai could definitely expect something truly daunting from it.

“Are you a Warlock then?” Harion laughed lightly, almost as if he were forcing it out.

“Well, yes, but not a Warlock that can make a big name for himself in society. Some of us manage to get through the path, some of us do not and return home or travel elsewhere to live out our lives. And some…”

“Yes?” Härion fell silent again, looking like he was going to go pale. A look in his eye showed the same kind of stress that would be expected from a man who’d seen war and violence, and the sight of a bead of sweat could be seen rolling down his forehead, but he quickly wiped it away. 

“Damn heat… ah, well, some just don’t succeed. But believe me, keep yourself composed and focused, and you will make it without a doubt!” Härion patted Levai on the shoulder and sent him on his way, wishing him the best of luck. Abandoning the conversation, Levai armed himself with the many questions he would have for his mother when he opened the door to his house, announcing his return. Around the corner, in her usual dress and her brown hair tucked away in a tight bun, Levai’s mother came along to take all of his things.

“Welcome back! How was your last day at school?”

“As expected. I said goodbye to everyone, packed away all of my possessions, learned that I am a Warlock…” Levai watched his mother carefully for her reaction and he was correct in assuming that she would act accordingly. She was still and silent as she held his things, then slowly put his bag down in the corner and sat down at the kitchen table.

“What’s a Warlock?” asked Levai’s brother Arker from the main room.

“Nothing dear, why don’t you and Aron go to your rooms? I need to talk to your brother for a moment.” The two boys shrugged and packed up their books, heading upstairs, with Arker snickering to Levai about him being in trouble. Levai only gave a scowl in response, echoing his mother’s command to go up to their room. Once they were gone, Levai sat down opposite her, and stared intently at her, making it very clear that he was not happy.

“Levai-”

“How long have you been lying to me? You, father, grandfather, everyone. Are Aron and Arker Warlocks as well? Are they dangerous creatures like I am? Are you a Warlock too?!” Levai’s mother only held up her hand to stop him from speaking, not wanting to tell him off, but ensuring he didn’t cross boundaries.

“I haven’t been lying, nor has anyone else. We just concealed the truth from you. Also, you are not dangerous. Most Warlocks aren’t… in a way. And no, I am not a Warlock. Neither are your brothers. And it is unlikely they will be.” Levai stayed quiet for a moment, staring intently at her.

“Is that why our father abandoned us? To go be a Warlock?” This was the statement that caught her attention.

“He didn’t abandon any of us! He was always a Warlock, from the very beginning since you were born and before. And you should do well to remember that your father did the best he could!”

“The best he could… that is laughable. The twins were only two years of age when he left us! Our grandfather did a thousand times more work than he ever did!” he yelled back at her. Where Levai’s father often failed, his grandfather Mortius always stepped up. Especially since the day that Levai’s grandmother Emora passed away, Mortius only exclusively spent his time with his family, telling Levai all kinds of fairy tales about fantasy worlds outside of Oxilian and beyond. Mortius worked tirelessly, being one of few people Levai properly respected, so his grandfather’s death last year struck him hard. For now, the loft upstairs was the only thing close to a clue Levai ever had about what his father was truly like. It was full of old stuff like vases, statues, books that he was always told he could never read, and one specifically odd-looking rod with a giant jewel on the top. He'd often asked his mother about it, but she would change the subject every time. After his outburst, his mother merely shook her head.

“Just… let me explain…” Levai calmed down, keeping his composure and hiding his resentment inside to allow his mother to explain. She took a deep breath and told him as much as she wanted. She told him about his father working outside of the city for the Warlock government, an organisation called the Red Court that governed most of Griermar. Moving on to the twins, she further explained that only the firstborns could become Warlocks, and she had received all the signs that only Levai had Warlock blood, as well as getting teste just in case. Levai couldn’t help feeling a lift of relief at her words, being grateful that what Ania told him was confirmed. The idea that those two, as annoying as they were, would get struck with the same feelings he felt wasn’t worth imagining.

“So, I go on this Path, and then become a Warlock? Is there some kind of ritual or magical transformation or something?” Levai’s mother shook her head. The Path was less of an actual road and more of a hypothetical journey. Everyone faced a different trial when going on the Path to test if they could survive as a Warlock in the outside world. Levai’s mother seemed shaken when she talked about it, and the more she explained, the closer she seemed to tears.

“Mother… What am I getting myself into?” Levai looked searchingly into her face and most of the rage was gone, as he placed a hand on hers and caused her to almost come to tears.

“The Path can be… dangerous. I won’t lie to you, some people die.” The words whimpered out as she said them and she placed a hand on her mouth to stop herself from crying. Levai went still. How could nobody have told him about this before? How could Ania have been so excited? Perhaps she didn’t know this detail any more than he did.

“Well then I won’t go! I can’t get thrown out there if I might die! I don’t want to die when I’m only 18!” Levai’s mother shook her head.

“Believe me, I don’t want you going there either, but… it has to be done. Everyone has to take the Path…” Levai frowned and groaned slightly, reaching over to the towels and handing her one to wipe her face. 

“But, not to worry, I have something that will give you a lot of help. Something you’ll actually have to thank your father for.” Hearing this caused Levai to withdraw his tenderness, as his hand sharply came away and he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms and frowning. She only rolled her eyes and shook her head in response.

“You can’t stay mad at him forever, you know…”

“I can and will. Where am I going if I succeed on the Path?” Levai’s mother’s face brightened a little after this and she sat up a bit more to tell him. It seemed he would be going to an Institute of Magic, a place where Warlocks all studied the use of magic and such, though he knew that already.

“Can’t I get further details? Where is this Institute? Who might teach me?” she shook her head in response, telling him that nobody knew which school they would land in. It was always at random, based on the survivors and their needs. More secrets and lack of knowledge, excellent.

“So what’s this advantage I’ll have then?” he finally asked. She shook her head in response and stood up.

“I will let you know tomorrow. For now, you should rest. I’ll have dinner ready soon, and then you’ll need plenty of sleep before the big day.” Levai never liked leaving questions unanswered, but for now it seemed like he wasn’t going to get anything else that he didn’t already know. Standing up, Levai went to his room and to the bathroom to change. Looking in the mirror, he stared deep into his red eyes. Everything he thought he knew was… changed. How much did he not know about the world? How many questions was he going to be denied answers for? It incensed him to be left out of the loop, but sometimes, these circumstances couldn’t be helped. Perhaps, maybe, he’d get some answers around his father at the very least, something that made him a bit more determined to see this journey through.